Thomas Baker King's brother. Russell joined the Confederate Army April 14, 1862. He was a private with the 50th VA Infantry, Company I. He was on the muster rolls from May 5, 1864 until May 19, 1864, which makes him one of only six men from Company I remaining after the Wilderness – Spotsylvania Court House battles. He was captured at Snicker’s Gap on July 18, 1864. He was sent to Washington, DC as a prisoner of war August 8 – 12, 1864 before being transferred to the prison camp at Elmira, NY. On December 16, 1864, Russell stated his desire to take the Oath of Allegiance, saying he volunteered for the Confederate Army in 1862 to avoid being conscripted. He stated he desired to go to Charleston, WVA “where his relatives reside.” He was paroled on March 14, 1865, exchanged at Boulware’s Wharf on the James River on March 21, 1865 and then hospitalized in Richmond with chronic diarrhea until his death on March 25, 1865.